(5 = Extraordinary to 1= Satisfactory)

ACIDITY 4 BODY 5 AROMA 4 COMPLEXITY 3 BALANCE 4 SPICEY CHOCOLATY - CARAMELLY NUTTY - BUTTERY - FRUITY FLOWERY WINEY - EARTHY

There is more than a subtle difference between “hand-made” coffees like this one vs. beans that are commercially produced: While Nicaragua and Costa Rica border one another geographically, the two nations differ radically in their methods of green coffee cultivation, handling and processing. In Nicaragua, coffee is grown primarily under shade trees, only ripe cherries are picked, growers wet process their own coffee and turn it over to dry mills in desiccated reaches for sun drying and final preparation. While in Costa Rica coffee farms frequently resemble monocultural vineyards, mass harvesting is practiced, and growers immediately relinquish their freshly picked cherries to vast Orwellian highly mechanized wet and dry mills. While the efficiency of the Costa Ricans is noteworthy, the intimacy of the Nicaraguans is remarkable.

This “intimacy” is undoubtably what gives this handmade Nicaragua coffee from the Angelina Estate its rich full body and satisfying earthy goodness. There are interesting notes of smokey-caramel, spice, and flowers.

Located high above the town of Jinotega, the Angelina Estate is a place where coffee growing is not only a century old family tradition, but also a timeless art based on a mutual respect of the environment and its people. The farm has been owned by the Lopez family for over 100 years and was taken over by Mrs. Angelina Lopez when her husband became ill. Mrs. Lopez was well known as a courageous and hard-working woman who later turned the farm over to her son Eugenio, an attorney and a teacher at a local university.

Today the Lopez family is well respected for their contributions to the surrounding communities in financial assistance and legal counseling for the poor. They are committed to improving the living conditions of their workers through healthcare programs and recreational activities. Their support of organizations like the Foundation Young Life of Nicaragua is crucial in developing and educating the local children. On the farm, you will find that extensive measures have been taken to ensure a diverse and healthy environment and a sustainable coffee production. Water usage and quality are of up most importance here and the most modern equipment has been installed to ensure supplies are not depleted or corrupted. High in the mountains and covered with an abundance of shade trees, the Angelina Estate is a mystical place with a wide array of plant and animal species. This is how coffee was meant to be grown, with a respect for the environment and in support of its producers and their families. These extra efforts translate directly into a superior cupping specialty coffee.

Pics from a recent tour of The Angelina Estate:
Meet the Family * View of the Farm * Lovely View from the Farm

This coffee bean is a 16-19 screen. It makes a great brew by itself and is especially nice when used in blends. Last year at the 2002 Roasters Challenge the winning espresso blend was a combination of a clean Nicaraguan (55%) and a Kenya AA (45%) roasted into the second crack.

Roast: Excellent when roasted into the second crack!

Archive Photo

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